Pawson to referee Sunday showdown at St. James'

Written by Tom Easterby

Craig Pawson will referee Newcastle United for a fourth time this term in Sunday’s Premier League clash with Manchester United.

The Magpies host Jose Mourinho’s side at St. James’ Park (2.15pm kick-off), and the game will be the second time Pawson has officiated on Tyneside this term, having overseen the 1-1 draw with Liverpool in October when Ayoze Pérez and Joe Gomez went in the book.

The 38-year-old dished out seven yellow cards, including four to Jamaal Lascelles, Matt Ritchie, Isaac Hayden and Joselu, in Newcastle’s 1-0 defeat at Huddersfield in August, with midfielder Hayden also booked by Pawson in the reverse fixture of this weekend’s game – a 4-1 defeat at Old Trafford in November.

So far this term, Pawson has 26 games across all competitions domestically and internationally, showing 96 yellow cards and a total of six reds. All but one of those dismissals have come in the Premier League.

He will be assisted by Lee Betts and Richard West on Sunday, while Paul Tierney will be the fourth official.